Update: As of 8 a.m. Saturday morning, July 28, the fire was at 13,118 acres and 17 percent containment, up from 12,300 acres and 16 acres Friday night.

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Calmer winds Friday helped to slow the spread of the destructive Cranston fire near Idyllwild as crews more than tripled containment of the blaze that authorities believe was sparked by an arsonist.

The fire had burned through 12,300 acres from the time it ignited around midday Wednesday through 7:30 p.m. Friday, U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Lyn Sieliet said. Containment was at 16 percent, a sharp rise from the 5 percent reported earlier in the day.

The progress, Sieliet said, was due in part to gentler winds — 1 to 2 mph instead of 3 to 4 mph with gusts to 16 mph — and a shift in where the fire was burning to flatter terrain. Flames move more swiftly uphill, and there were fewer of those runs Friday.

“I know with the progress that we made today, they are a little more optimistic,” she said. “We hope we have the same type of weather (Saturday).”

Despite improvement in some weather conditions, crews again battled scorching temperatures Friday. And little relief from the heat was in sight for the weekend, as officials braced for hot and dry conditions and westerly winds during the afternoon.

Still, crews already have begun rehabilitation work in the Mountain Center area, removing dead vegetation and other items that were damaged and repairing areas where bulldozers upended the ground.

“We’re trying to put it back to a natural state,” Sieliet said.

Still protecting homes

A firefighter keeps an eye on the flare ups in the Apple Canyon area on day 3 of the Cranston Fire in Idyllwild on Friday, July 27, 2018. (Photo by Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A strike team walk up Highway 74 near the Hurkey Creek area on day 3 of the Cranston Fire in Idyllwild on Friday, July 27, 2018. (Photo by Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

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Firefighters gather together in the Apple Canyon area on day 3 of the Cranston Fire in Idyllwild on Friday, July 27, 2018. (Photo by Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A strike team walk up Highway 74 near the Hurkey Creek area on day 3 of the Cranston Fire in Idyllwild on Friday, July 27, 2018. (Photo by Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Firefighters make their way up steep terrain to look for hot spots in the Apple Canyon area on day 3 of the Cranston Fire in Idyllwild on Friday, July 27, 2018. (Photo by Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Captain John Tanaka with the San Diego Fire Rescue Department checks the wind speeds in the Apple Canyon area on day 3 of the Cranston Fire in Idyllwild on Friday, July 27, 2018. (Photo by Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Captain John Tanaka with the San Diego Fire Rescue Department checks the wind speeds in the Apple Canyon area on day 3 of the Cranston Fire in Idyllwild on Friday, July 27, 2018. (Photo by Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Emergency vehicles sit parked in the Apple Canyon area on day 3 of the Cranston Fire in Idyllwild on Friday, July 27, 2018. (Photo by Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Firefighters make their way down steep terrain to look for hot spots in the Apple Canyon area on day 3 of the Cranston Fire in Idyllwild on Friday, July 27, 2018. (Photo by Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Firefighters make their way up steep terrain to look for hot spots in the Apple Canyon area on day 3 of the Cranston Fire in Idyllwild on Friday, July 27, 2018. (Photo by Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A strike team walk up Highway 74 near the Hurkey Creek area on day 3 of the Cranston Fire in Idyllwild on Friday, July 27, 2018. (Photo by Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A strike team leaves Hurkey Creek Park to head into the burn areas on day 3 of the Cranston Fire in Idyllwild on Friday, July 27, 2018. (Photo by Stan Lim, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

The flames did not push into the Pine Cove area late Thursday as officials feared. Crews on Friday night into Saturday will remove debris from along the roadside and cut some limbs and grasses in Pine Cove, Apple Canyon and other populated areas to prevent flames from intruding.

Flames did continue to spread in a southeast direction toward a federal wilderness area and Lake Hemet.

The good news extended to the restoration of power for some people.

Whereas thousands of Southern California Edison customers were without power in the fire area because of damaged equipment, only about 200 lacked electricity Friday evening, Edison spokesman Ron Gales said. But there was still no estimate as to when the 5,200 Anza Electric Cooperative customers would get the lights back on. Those customers depend on electricity from Edison.

Crews will be on the mountain throughout the weekend making repairs, Gales said.

Arson suspect charged

Meanwhile Friday, Temecula resident Brandon N. McGlover pleaded not guilty to 15 felony charges alleging he set the Cranston fire and eight other blazes. He could face life in prison if convicted as charged.

Two of the charges — five counts of arson of a structure and one count of aggravated arson — were directly tied to the Cranston fire, which has burned at least five homes. Assessment teams are trying to determine if any additional homes have been damaged, which could lead to more charges.

McGlover, 32, who was arrested at midday Wednesday, was also accused of setting fires in Idyllwild, Anza and Sage.

A truck passes a burning tree as it sends embers into the air and on HWY 74 north of Lake Hemet as the Cranston fire grows to over 7,500 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest in Mountain Center on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

The full moon rises in the colorful smoke from the Cranston fire in the San Bernardino National Forest above Lake Hemet on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

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A burning tree sends embers into the air on HWY 74 north of Lake Hemet as the Cranston fire grows to over 7,500 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest in Mountain Center on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Brush trucks make their way along HWY 74 after battling the Cranston fire in Mountain Center area in the San Bernardino National Forest in Lake Hemet on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

An art attack tanker lines up to make a retardant drop on the Cranston fire above Camp Keene Road along HWY 74 north of Lake Hemet in the San Bernardino National Forest in Mountain Center on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A CalFire firefighter loads up a hose after filling the brush truck with water at Lake Hemet as the Cranston fire still grows in the San Bernardino National Forest in Mountain Center on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Mountain Center residents Josh Thomas, left and son Tristan Thomas, above talk others in the parking lot of the Lake Hemet Market as they watch a helicopter make a drop on the Cranston fire in the San Bernardino National Forest in Lake Hemet on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A water dropping helicopter makes a drop on the Cranston fire above Camp Keene Road along HWY 74 north of Lake Hemet in the San Bernardino National Forest in Mountain Center on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A water dropping helicopter flies back to Lake Hemet to reload to make another drop on the Cranston fire burns above Camp Keene Road along HWY 74 north of Lake Hemet in the San Bernardino National Forest in Mountain Center on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Riverside County CalFire firefighter Matt Lathrop hoses down hotspots in the back porch of home near Mountain Center as Cranston fire continues to grow in the San Bernardino National Forest Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A structure burn near Mountain Center as Cranston Cranston fire continues to grow in the San Bernardino National Forest Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Lawn furnitures burn at a home near Mountain Center as Cranston Cranston fire continues to grow in the San Bernardino National Forest Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Deer move away from the fire as Cranston fire burning near Mountain Center on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Riverside County CalFire firefighter Matt Lathrop hoses down hotspots in the back porch of home near Mountain Center as Cranston fire continues to grow in the San Bernardino National Forest Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Structures burn along Highway 74 near Mountain Center as Cranston fire continues to grow in the San Bernardino National Forest Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A firefighter sprays water onto a structure at Crossroads Church as firefighters battle the Cranston fire on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Santa Clara County firefighter Chuck Springmeyer sprays water over a spot fire burning next to Crossroads Church in Mountain Center during Cranston fire on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Firefighters battle a spot fire burning next to Crossroads Church in Mountain Center during Cranston fire on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Brandon N. McGlover, 32, of Temecula, was arrested July 25, 2018, on suspicion of arson in connection with the Cranston fire near Idyllwild. (Courtesy of Cal Fire)

A CalFire fighter hosed down hot spots on one of the homes on Deer Foot Lane burned in the fast moving Cranston fire in the San Bernardino National Forest in Idyllwild on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A plane makes fire retardant drop over Cranston fire burning near Idyllwild on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Cranston fire burning near Idyllwild on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Cranston fire burning near Idyllwild on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Cranston fire burning near Idyllwild on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Cranston fire burning near Idyllwild on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Firefighters battle a spot fire burning next to Crossroads Church in Mountain Center during Cranston fire on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A firefighter works as the Cranston fire burning near Idyllwild on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A CalFire firefighter puts out hotspots burn along Highway 243 in Mountain Center during the Cranston fire on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A fire vehicle makes its way up a canyon as the ground smolders near Saunders Meadow Road during the Cranston fire in Idyllwild on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A Hotshot firefighter watches as Cranston fire grows to over 1,200 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest above Hemet on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

The Ribbon fire was burning near the community of Pinyon and 25 miles from the Cranston fire. (Courtesy Cal Fire/Riverside County)

Restaurant owner Nam Kim and son, Jason, 31, make food to feed emergency personnel at Mile High Cafe during the Cranston fire burning near Idyllwild on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Una casa incendiada a causa del fuego que arrasa a las montañas de San Jacinto. TERRY PIERSON/SCNG
home on Deer Foot Lane burns into the night as the Cranston fire slows in the cool night air after during more than 3,500 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest in Idyllwild on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A fire vehicle makes its way up a canyon as the ground smolders near Saunders Meadow Road during the Cranston fire in Idyllwild on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Firefighters on standby in Idyllwild town as smoke from Cranston fire blankets the sky on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Riverside County Transportation Department operators Justin Kenny, left, and Jody Posey remove a fallen road sign along Saunders Meadow Road, as the crew work to keep the roads clear and safe for emergency vehicles during Cranston fire burning in Idyllwild on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Idyllwild residents Brighten Millhouse, 14, and dad, Jon, rescued a rattlesnake near their home from the Cranston fire burning in Idyllwild on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Resident Lance Fogle stocks up on gas at Chevron gas station in Idyllwild town as Cranston fire burning in the San Jacinto Mountains on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Firefighters on standby in Idyllwild town as smoke from Cranston fire blankets the sky on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Tamara Friemoth, right, whose family owns this Chevron gas statio, takes a a call from a customer as daughter, Tyla, 22, tends to firefighters during the Cranston fire burning near Idyllwild on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Idyllwild Town Monument is silhouetted by smoke from the Cranston fire burning near Idyllwild on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Pine Cove resident Ray Vreeland, 27, looks over the blanket of smoke from the Cranston fire burning near Idyllwild on Thursday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Firefighter Leonard Dimaculangan walks through the thick smoke along HWY 74 from the Cranston fire. The SCAQMD and the Riverside Department of Health have warned residents who can smell smoke to stay indoors. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Two chairs are left on a rock over looking the valley below behind one of the homes which was a complete loss in the Cranston fire on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Fire engines and brush trucks wait to refuel at the Chevron station the only business open late night in Idyllwild during the Cranston fire so firefighters could refuel and get a bite to eat in the San Bernardino National Forest in Idyllwild on Wednesday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Firefighters refuel the trucks and get a bite to eat at the Chevron station the only business open late night in Idyllwild during the Cranston fire so firefighters could refuel and get a bite to eat in the San Bernardino National Forest in Idyllwild on Wednesday, July 26, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A home on Deer Foot Lane burns into the night as the Cranston fire slows in the cool night air after during more than 3,500 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest in Idyllwild on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

CalFire’s air attack tankers made a retardant drop which saved homes from the Cranston fire as it grows to over 3,500 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest in Idyllwild on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A CalFire fighter walk up Deer Foot Lane past one of the four structors burned during the fast moving Cranston fire as it grows to more than over 3,500 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest in Idyllwild on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

CalFire firefighters walk back to their brush truck through the burnt landscape around them at the 3,000ft. maker from the Cranston fire that burned more than 3,500 acres and four structures in the San Bernardino National Forest above Hemet on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Sheriffs and CalFire investigators look over the starting point at 3,000ft. maker as the Cranston fire jumped from 25 acres to over 3,500 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest above Hemet on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG

Firefighter Leonard Dimaculangan walks through the thick smoke form along HWY 74 as the Cranston fire grows to over 3,500 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest above Hemet on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Flames from the fast moving Cranston fire more than 60 ft. high jump HWY 74 at the top of the hill as it grows to over 3,500 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest above Hemet on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

CalFire Riverside County Station 23 hoses down hot spots around some of the homes saved on Deer Foot Lane during the fast moving Cranston fire as it grows to more than over 3,500 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest in Idyllwild on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

CalFire fighter/paramedic Kyle McDermott of Beaumont Station 66 hosed down hot spots on one of the homes on Deer Foot Lane burned in the fast moving Cranston fire as it grows to more than over 3,500 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest in Idyllwild on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

CalFire fighter/paramedic Kyle McDermott of Beaumont Station 66 hosed down hot spots on one of the homes on Deer Foot Lane burned in the fast moving Cranston fire as it grows to more than over 3,500 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest in Idyllwild on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

CalFire fighters walk past and look at one of the homes that was unable to be saved on Deer Foot Lane during the fast moving Cranston fire as it grows to more than over 3,500 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest in Idyllwild on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A CalFire fighter hosed down hot spots on one of the homes on Deer Foot Lane burned in the fast moving Cranston fire as it grows to more than over 3,500 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest in Idyllwild on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A Del Rosa Hotshots crew waits to be deployed to the fire line as the The Cranston fire grows to more than over 3,500 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest in Idyllwild on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A CalFire helicopter makes a water drop in heavy smoke on the fast moving Cranston fire along HWY 74 as it grows to over 1,200 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest above Hemet on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Flames from the fast moving Cranston fire more than 40 ft. high jump HWY 74 as it grows to over 1,200 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest above Hemet on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A brush truck engineer looks over his truck as the Cranston fire burns above HWY 74 in the San Bernardino National Forest above Hemet on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A CalFire helicopter makes a water drop as plumes of smoke from the fast moving Cranston fire fill the sky above HWY 74 as it grows to over 1,200 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest above Hemet on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Firefighter Leonard Dimaculangan watches his back fire burn away from HWY 74 to fight the Cranston fire as it grows to over 1,200 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest above Hemet on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A CalFire brush crew makes it way through smoke to fight the fast moving Cranston fire along Highway 74 in the San Bernardino National Forest above Hemet on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Flames from the fast moving Cranston fire more than 40 ft. high jump HWY 74 as it grows to over 1,200 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest above Hemet on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Firefighters stay hydrated as they battle the fast moving Cranston fire along HWY 74 as it grows to over 1,200 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest above Hemet on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Firefighter Leonard Dimaculangan watches his back fire burn away from HWY 74 to fight the Cranston fire as it grows to over 1,200 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest above Hemet on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

The Cranston fire jumped from 25 acres to hundreds of acres within minutes, according to tweets from the San Bernardino National Forest above Hemet on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A Hotshot firefighter watches as Cranston fire grows to over 1,200 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest above Hemet on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A CalFire firefighter from Prado 305 keeps watch as investigators look over the starting spot at 3,000 ft maker as the Cranston fire jumped from 25 acres to over 1,200 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest above Hemet on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

A CalFire brush crew makes it way through smoke to fight the fast moving Cranston fire along HWY 74 as it grows to over 1,200 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest above Hemet on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Flames from the fast moving Cranston fire more than 40 ft. high jump HWY 74 as it grows to over 1,200 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest above Hemet on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Firefighters stay hydrated as they battle the fast moving Cranston fire along HWY 74 as it grows to over 1,200 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest above Hemet on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

There were no immediate plans to lift current evacuation orders, with officials describing the blaze as still very active and dynamic. Almost 5,000 structures remained threatened, and 7,000 people had been evacuated.

The Forest Service on Friday announced that lands within the San Jacinto Ranger District and Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains national monuments would be closed through Aug. 28, depending on conditions. The order prohibits going on National Forest lands, trails and roads. It does not include private lands, including communities and Indian reservations.

Authorities said decisions to issue evacuation orders are done with the safety of residents and firefighters in mind.

“This has been such a dynamic and unpredictable fire, and we don’t want to wait until the last minute (to order the evacuation),” said Lee Beyer with the U.S. Forest Service.

For many of the small towns – including Idyllwild and Pine Cove — Highway 243 is one of the only ways in or out.

“Having a large number of people trying to get out and we’re trying to get in can make for a very dangerous situation,” Beyer said.

Friday morning, Congressman Raul Ruiz, D-La Quinta, attended a briefing and toured portions of the burned area. Ruiz planned to visit families forced to leave their homes who are now staying at a Banning evacuation center.

Ruiz, during a visit the fire command center, said he was struck by how fast the fire grew.

The congressman noted that 4,100 homes have been evacuated, with an estimated 6,500 people displaced. Five to 11 buildings had burned, but it wasn’t known if they were homes or another type of structure.

Ruiz said he is pleased with the response by fire officials.

“I’m very glad to see these fine men and women are professionals; they are highly skilled, highly trained,” Ruiz said. “They are doing their job and working together in a unified manner.”

In Mountain Center, near Highway 74, the burned-out remains of what appeared to be two structures, as well as a van, were visible on Friday. A home about 1,000 feet away had been saved, but the two structures ravaged by flames were burned to the ground. It wasn’t clear what they had been, although a washer and a dryer were among the remains.

In Deer Foot, on the Southernmost point of Idyllwild, what appeared to be two more structures were severely burned. No one had returned to the area, since the evacuation orders were still in effect.

Off Glen Road, Idyllwild resident Mike Crouch stood in a tank top and shorts, watching from his home as planes dropped fire retardant on flames near a ridge. Crouch said he has been at the home for the past two days, as the fire burned.

“I don’t feel immediately threatened so I’d rather protect my property,” he said. He has his car ready in case the fire gets too close. “Once you leave,” he said, “you’re not coming back.”

The fire has led to the closure of several recreational areas and trails, including the Desert View Trail, the Little Round Valley Campground and the Long Valley Trail in Mt. San Jacinto State Park; and the Dark Canyon and the Deer Springs campgrounds and the Deer Springs Trail to Suicide Rock 3E17 to 3E33, and the Devil’s Slide Trail in the San Bernardino National Forest.

Highway 243 is closed from Banning to Highway 74, with residents north of Marion Ridge Drive with ID able to enter at Banning. Highway 74 is closed from Borco Street in Hemet to Highway 371.

Friday morning, in addition to the more than 1,300 fire personnel on scene, there 194 water tenders, five helicopters, nine airplanes and 17 bulldozers working to calm the Cranston fire. Three firefighter injuries had been reported, all believed to be minor.

Among those battling the blaze were firefighters from Compton, Huntington Beach and San Francisco.

Also Friday, state Attorney General Xavier Becerra warned merchants against price gouging. State law generally prohibits charging a price that exceeds, by more than 10 percent, the price that existed before a state or local emergency declaration was declared. The law applies to those who sell food, emergency supplies, medical supplies, building materials and gasoline.

Please check back for updates. This is a developing story.

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Beatriz E. Valenzuela is an award-winning journalist who’s covered breaking news in Southern California since 2006 and has been on the front lines of several national and international news events. She’s worked for media outlets serving Southern California readers covering education, local government, entertainment and all things nerd including comic book culture and video games. She’s an amateur obstacle course racer, constant fact-checker, mother of three and lover of all things adorable.

Shane Newell joined The Press-Enterprise in October 2017. He covers Canyon Lake, Corona, Lake Elsinore, Temecula, Murrieta and Wildomar. He was a community reporter covering Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel for the Orange County Register from September 2016 to September 2017. He graduated from Stanford University in 2016 with a master's degree in communication. He earned his bachelor's in journalism from Long Beach State in 2015. Among his favorite stories were his 2016 feature on Monday Morning Quarterback's Peter King and his life as one of the nation's most prolific NFL reporters and a 2017 look at the Riverside roots of Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes.